AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: The above video is from an October 2019 report on Community First! Village.
The Community First! Village in northeast Austin is getting a big boost from the Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR).
The village, which is operated by Mobile Loaves & Fishes, provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for people coming out of chronic homelessness. ABoR announced Monday that it is pledging $1 million to help develop homes in the village.
“Over the past year, our City leaders and residents have been grappling with how to best help those in our community who are experiencing homelessness,” Romeo Manzanilla, the 2020 ABoR president, said. “And while ABoR continues to be a strong advocate on this issue at city hall, we’re also taking action now with this long-term partnership with Mobile Loves & Fishes and its innovative Community First! Village. As Realtors help Central Texans find their next home, it’s only fitting that our foundation’s contributions go toward one of the most creative and life-changing housing communities in the nation.”
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According to ABoR, the $1 million will be distributed through 10 annual $100,000 contributions through the ABoR Foundation, starting this year. The money will be used to help develop homes in Community First! Village, as well as a donor recognition park uniting phases one and two of the village.
"We firmly believe that the single largest cause of homelessness is a profound, catastrophic loss of family," Alan Graham, founder and CEO of Mobile Loaves & Fishes, said. "Through its pledge, ABoR is providing a significant investment into our community and is also helping to alleviate that loss of family for men and women who are coming out of chronic homelessness."
The pledge also solidifies a long-term relationship between ABoR and Mobile Loaves & Fishes, which will include on-site volunteer opportunities for Realtors every year.
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